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Crash Bandicoot returns in HD with the release of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy – a fully-remastered rendering of the first three Crash Bandicoot games.

And if you’ve already played them before, you’ll know how fiendishly difficult they can be.

Well… except Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped.

But if you’re expecting to flex the old muscle memory from when you spent an entire weekend owning the PS1 classic, it looks as though you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

The N. Sane Trilogy isn’t just a graphical update – the entire engine has been rebuilt from scratch… and that means much more realistic physics this time around.

And that means far less forgiving jump mechanics.

Think you’ve still got what it takes?

Then we dare you to have a bash at the 10 most fiendishly difficult Crash Bandicoot levels.

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10. Totally Bear (Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back)

This hidden level in Crash Bandicoot 2 is a short one.

But while it may take less than a couple of minutes to complete, Totally Bear is the most difficult of all the bear-riding levels.

Essentially, it takes the bear-riding mechanic and makes it more difficult by reducing the visibility… add in a number of quick hurdles and some long-distance jumps, and it’s not long before you’ll be tearing your hair out.

If you want to give this a try, play Un-Bearable and then double back after the bear-riding section.

There, you’ll find Polar who will transport you to the warp gate of the hidden level.

9. Native Fortress (Crash Bandicoot)

It’s one of the first truly difficult levels in Crash Bandicoot – Native Fortress is a real doozy.

It marks the exact point where the game turns from a simple, whimsical platformer into one of the most frustrating gaming experiences of all time.

And it’s all because of its tricky obstacles.

At this point, Crash goes from smashing a few boxes and jumping over small crevices to leaping over fire pits and spiky death spikes of doom.

The addition of annoying hula guys who can rebound you off a platform makes this even worse… and the checkpoints are far enough apart to make each section annoying as hell.

Oh, and you’ll need expert timing to bounce across the three fire pits near the end.

8. Hog Wild (Crash Bandicoot)

It’s another riding level – Hog Wild is the first hog-riding level you encounter in Crash Bandicoot… but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.

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This time, we find Crash riding on the back of a hog as he traverses obstacles and leaps, with a piggy squeal at every jump.

And it’s surprisingly difficult if you’re unprepared.

Much like Totally Bear, it’s a short level.

But it comes with one of the most annoying obstacles of the game – rotating hog roasts which require you to think ahead with a split-second to get it right.

Add in those annoying hula guys once more and it’s a real tough one to crack.

7. Bee-Having (Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back)

Crash Bandicoot 2 is far more forgiving than the original.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some annoyingly difficult levels that will end up giving you a headache.

Bee-Having is one of them.

Here, Crash finds himself periodically chased by a swarm of angry bees… and the only way to escape them is to outrun them, or dive underground in certain muddy areas and tunnel your way to freedom.

Easy enough, right?

Except when you throw in a collection of Nitro boxes and crazy, mallet-wielding dudes, you end up with a frustratingly complex level.

And the bonus level is just as bad.

Nitro boxes everywhere.

6. Castle Machinery (Crash Bandicoot)

It’s one of the last few levels of Crash Bandicoot – Castle Machinery puts you up against the machinations of Dr Cortex.

And with the end portal in sight right at the very beginning, it’s a cruel glimpse before it all goes down the tube…

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There’s a fiendish array of enemies and gizmos on display in Castle Machinery.

And with lifts that squash you into burning hot pipes as well as conveyor belts which trundle you along into the firing line of your enemies, you need some well-timed jumps to get through this one.

Oh, and watch where you step.

Those trampolines don’t always give you a hand.

5. Fumbling in the Dark (Crash Bandicoot)

Another secret level – Fumbling in the Dark is a really tricky one.

First of all, you need to unlock it.

This is done by completing the N. Cortex bonus level in Jaws of Darkness… which is trickier than it sounds.

Then, once you’ve got the key from Cortex, the real fun begins.

Based on the earlier level, Lights Out, you’re plunged into the dark corridors of Castle Cortex.

And only Aku Aku can keep the lights on.

If you can navigate its platforms and perils quick enough, you’ll make it to another Aku Aku mask before the light runs out.